The Border Coast Regional Airport Authority has requested an interim loan of $1.8 million from the Del Norte Board of Supervisors. The proposed loan would have a 1 percent interest rate an a term of five years, according to the county’s staff report.

The loan would pay for additional environmental review and provide contribution funding for improvements to the runway safety areas at Jack McNamara Field. About 95 percent of the $20 million project is being funded through a Federal Aviation Administration grant.

According to the county’s report, the airport authority proposes to use $350,000 this month to fund ongoing environmental review. An additional $800,000 would pay for the project’s construction. The airport authority anticipates spending an additional $500,000 to $700,000 to complete the project, according to the report.

The airport authority has approached other authority members for five-year loans of $20,000 to help fund the $1.8 million debt. In February, the Crescent City Council committed to a $20,000 loan, but asked airport authority staff to provide a five-year projection of revenue and a copy of the debt agreement before making a final decision.

Supervisors will also be asked to provide a letter of opposition to state Senate Bill 1270, which would affect the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act. SB 1270 was introduced by State Sen. Fran Pavley, whose district includes the western portion of San Fernando Valley and the eastern portion of Ventura County.

According to the county’s staff report, if passed, SB 1270 would transfer regulatory authority over rock quarries and in-stream gravel mining from local lead agencies, such as the county, to the state.

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors meets at 10 a.m. at the Flynn Administrative Center, 981 H St. Agendas are available at www.co.del-norte.ca.us.

Reach Jessica Cejnar at
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